While the Supreme Court has paved the way for same sex
couples to wed in the state, legislators behind the movement to legalize gay
marriage say there is still work to be done.

The high court's ruling holds sway but lawmakers say they
will need to put a law on the books outlining the court's decision. Whether that law arrives in the form of a
clean bill sent to the governor's desk or an override of the governor's veto of
legislation passed last year is still unclear, lawmakers say.

"For the people that will participate in gay marriage
in the future my question is what does it mean if we don't do the override,"
said Democratic state Sen. Loretta Weinberg, who sponsored a measure to legalize gay
marriage. "Obviously right now with the governor having seen the light and
withdrawing the appeal, the law in New Jersey grants the recognition of same
sex marriage. My question is what is the
future legal ramification for us to do or not do an override."

Senate President Steve Sweeney over the weekend vowed to
push forward with the override, however that was before the governor today
withdrew his appeal of the decision allowing gay couples to marry.

A spokesman for the senate president said today its unclear
how the upper house will proceed at this point.

Democratic state Sen. Ray Lesniak, long a supporter of same sex
marriage who hosted one of the state's first at his home last night, said he
has not yet spoken to Sweeney or Weinberg but feels the way to go is a clean
bill to codify the court's decision.

"I think Christie, by dropping the challenge let
Republicans off the hook," he said.
"There are sections in the statute that need to be
implemented," Lesniak said. "Clergy exceptions for instance that
release a clergy from liability or any requirement to perform gay marriages. So
I'm thinking we should put in a clean bill
legalizing marriage equality and implementing those clergy exceptions."

Lesniak said the issue going forward is not about winning or
losing, but about making sure the court's decision is implemented correctly.

The Assembly sponsor, Democrat Reed Gusciora, had a different
take. Why bother with another bill, when
a perfectly good one is sitting in the hopper?

"I think even the most conservative member of the legislature
would want to ensure there is a religious institution exemption," he said.
"Why waste more paper when you can
override and be done with it? It is a
clean bill and (conservatives) should have voted for it the first time. I think
a lot of these members need to be concerned about being on the wrong side of
history."

There is also the topic of political theater to be
discussed. There are those in the gay
marriage movement who would like to see yet one more victory over Christie,
this one in the form of a veto override.

The votes are likely there two sources told NJ.com, and why
not force Republicans to take a stand against the governor?

Asked if he favored the override in order to achieve one
final victory, Gusciora said no, but he wants to be sure nothing is left
outstanding.

"You know it's the social conservatives that will be whining
that the church altars will collapse," he said. "To give it finality we need to make sure that churches are assured
they are protected. What better way to do that than codify that language
that's already in the bill we passed?"

Asked if his group favored one course over another Chris
Donnelly, a spokesman for New Jersey United for Marriage,
said his coalition would discuss it with Weinberg and others and figure out the
best way to move forward.

"I
can' talk now, though," he said.
"We're in the middle of a wedding."